Smithsonian.com

Munch, Munch, Mount?

By
Joe Spring

smithsonian.com
May 1, 2007

Talk about a picky turtle. The Guinness Book of World Records has called a bachelor tortoise named "Lonesome George" the world's "rarest living creature."
George is the last known living member of his species from the island of Pinta in the Galapagos. He was moved from the island to a conservation center on Santa Cruz Island, where he was supplied with a small harem of female tortoises from another island.
He hasn't touched them. For 35 years he has munched and munched, and never mounted. They are, literally, not his type.

But now scientists have made an exciting discovery that could change that: a hybrid tortoise from a different island that meets George halfway genetically. If they can find a carapaced lady that matches up fully with George, he might find her more attractive. And so they are rushing to search through all the tortoises on the island to find a match, in hopes the rarified reptile will finally get excited too.
(Photo courtesy of Alison Llerena/CDRS)